What's your excuse for not being prepared?

I've experienced several short (15 minutes or less) presentations lately where the speakers had plenty of time to prepare (months), but gave the appearance of flying by the seat of their pants. And not in a good way.

Some problems with lack of preparation:

1. You have no opening, so the audience keeps talking because they don't know you've started.

2. You have no objective, so your points don't make a point.

3. You have no focus, so the presentation is all over the place.

4. You haven't checked your equipment, so it takes an extra 20 minutes to get your computer and PowerPoint booted up.

5. You haven't practiced, so you keep stopping to say, "Where was I?"

6. You haven't anticipated your audience's questions, so your answers aren't helpful.

7. You haven't timed yourself, so your presentation goes long.

8. Your visuals are haphazard, so the audience is confused.

9. You have no closing, so your ending falls flat.

What would you add for #10?

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